Monday, May 3, 2010

National Same-Sex Commitment Ceremony, the day after

Over 100 couples shared a beautiful moment on May 2, 2010 during the Same-Sex Commitment Ceremony that took place during SundayOUT! at The Piazza. Couples from across the country joined in the ceremony in the presence of thousands of witnesses. The Project-1138 Team and the Equality Forum thank you for those who helped make this a memory to last a lifetime.

What Is Project 1138?

Project 1138 is designed to increase public awareness of the 1,138 federal marital benefits and protections denied to same-sex couples as the result of marriage inequality.How Did It Originate?

On September 5, 1996, Congressman Henry Hyde sent a request to the General Accounting Office of the United States. In it, he asked how many federal benefits were contingent on marital status. In response, the GAO identified 1,049 federal laws in which martial status applied. Click here to see the January 31, 1997 letter to Henry Hyde

In 2004, Senator Bill Frist asked the GAO to update this number. Due to changes in laws over the previous seven years, the number of federal benefits had increased to 1,138. Click here to see the 1138 benefits

National Same-Sex Commitment Ceremony

On May 2, 2010 Equality Forum welcomed same sex-couples to reaffirm their relationships at a commitment ceremony at SundayOUT! at The Piazza. The same-sex commitment ceremony creates awareness of the 1,138 federal marital benefits denied same-sex couples, including denying those legally married in Massachusetts, Vermont, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Washington, D.C.

Take Action Now

Project 1138 is calling on you and your loved ones to take action by asking your elected officials to repeal DOMA. You can do so by following these two steps below. The links below will route you to your Congressperson’s contact page.

STEP TWO:In the body section of the message, you are welcome to write your own message, but consider using this one below. Simply copy and paste into the main part of the message:

I'm writing you about something that is very important to me – marriage equality.

Unfortunately, most states in this country still do not allow lesbian and gay couples the right to marry and receive the same benefits as the rest of America. Couples who have made a personal commitment to each other deserve the cultural respect, social support, and legal responsibilities that come with marriage.

That's why I'm asking you, as my representative in Congress, to support the Respect for Marriage Act and repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.

Equality Forum

Equality Forum is a national and international GLBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. Equality Forum coordinates GLBT History Month, produces documentary films, undertakes high-impact initiatives and presents the largest annual national and international GLBT civil rights summit.